Shin

Shin
Shin, as illustrated by Tetsuo Hara.
Name in Kanji	シン
Name in Romaji	Shin
Alternate spelling(s)	Sin
Fighting Style	Nanto Koshū Ken
Allegiance(s)	n/a
Family	none known
Position(s)	Leader of the King organization
Appearances	Manga (ch. 4-10, 121), Anime (ep. 1-22, 97), Yuria Gaiden, others
Voice actor(s)	Toshio Furukawa, Takuya Kirimoto (Legends of the True Savior)

Shin (シン)

Voiced by: Toshio Furukawa

Shin is the successor of Nanto Koshū Ken (南斗孤鷲拳, "South Dipper Lone Eagle Fist"), one of the martial art styles within the Nanto Rokusei Ken. He bears the destiny of the Star of Martyrdom (殉星, Junsei), who is destined to live and die for love.

Shin secretly desired Kenshirō's fiancée Yuria ever since he first met her. After the nuclear war and the death of Master Ryuken, Shin was persuaded by Jagi to challenge Kenshirō and take Yuria for himself. Shin defeated Ken and engraved the seven scars on his chest as a reminder of his defeat.

Afterwards, Shin assumed the title of King and expanded his organization, building Yuria the city of Southern Cross to win her affections. However, his continued atrocities only drove Yuria to commit suicide by leaping off the top floor of Shin's palace. Yuria survived thanks to the intervention of the Nanto Gosha Sei, who arrived on Southern Cross to protect Yuria from Raoh's impending invasion. Shin entrusted Yuria to the Goshasei's custody and allowed his reputation to be tarnished by pretending that he was her murderer.

Later, Ken and Shin fought each other once again within Shin's palace. Driven by Shin's words after their first battle, Ken overpowered him and struck his vital points in the shape of Shin's emblem - the "Bloody Cross". Maintaining that Yuria had died, Shin refused to die from Ken's technique, instead taking his own life by leaping off the balcony of his palace, as Yuria did before him.

TV series

In the TV series, Shin's army is notably larger compared to the manga. In addition to his four lieutenants (Heart, Spade, Diamond, and Club), it also includes the God's Army organization, Jackal's gang and a host of original villains. After Kenshirō continued to defy his army, Shin assembled his remaining troops and launched an all-out assault against Kenshirō as he approached Southern Cross. After Kenshirō is presumed dead, Balcom seizes the opportunity to plot a mutiny against Shin, and although Shin defeats him, the city is destroyed during the chaos. With Shin vowing to build another Southern Cross, Yuria decides to commit suicide from the palace balcony and prevent the violence repeating itself.

1986 movie

In the 1986 movie, Kenshirō mentions that he and Shin grew up together and had a brotherly friendship. Shin's army is defeated by Raoh's troops who invaded Southern Cross before Kenshirō's arrival, whilst Shin is defeated off-screen by Raoh himself. When Kenshirō finally arrives, Shin is already dying from his previous fight with Raoh, but in his last moments he reveals the location of Raoh, who also abducted Yuria.

Kenshirō Den

The 2008 movie Kenshirō Den introduces Shin's Nanto Koshū Ken predecessor Fūgen, as well as Shin's former training partner Jugai.

Hokuto Mosou

Shin's scenario in Illusionary Mode in Hokuto Mosou involves him getting word of his impending defeat at Kenshiro's hands, and of Raoh's attempt to sieze Yuria for himself. Entrusting Yuria to Fudoh, Shin attempts to keep her safe by any means possible, but encounters Juza and Mamiya soonafter, which causes him to become even more paranoid about keeping her safe.

Forging an alliance with Souther, Shin seeks a means to gain more power and ergo become strong enough to keep Yuria safe from any and all threats and, Shin hopes, win her love. He succeeds in subjugating Boss Fang and Zeed's armies, and wins praise from Souther, but this does little to console Shin - he is tormented by what Mamiya mentioned before and begins questioning himself, but remains convinced that by becoming strong enough, he can win her heart.

Juda arrives and attempts to use Shin to capture Yuria for himself, but fails and in a mad dash to protect Yuria, Shin winds up attacking Fudoh. Seeing what Shin was willing to do to "keep her safe," Yuria is horrified and flees Shin, leaving Shin confused and with heavy heart. Unable to break free of the path he's now on, Shin continues to fight for Thouzer after Juda makes over Mamiya to look like Yuria in order to win the support of the remaining Nanto forces. Shin moves forward, hoping that by defeating the Hokuto forces, he can restore balance to the world and usher in peace - ergo finally winning her love. Kenshiro and Toki make him further question himself, as does Rei and what Rei is willing to do to keep Airi safe. After preventing Jagi from setting off a thermonuclear device, Shin attacks Raoh and succeeds in killing him.

Realizing the error of his ways, Shin retreats to Southern Cross after the war, convinced that Yuria has perished. When word reaches him that Jagi has sold Yuria to Souther and that Souther intends to execute her, Shin finally understands love and the true value of selflessness - he throws away everything - his title, his land, his wealth - to attempt to rescue the woman he loves - alone.

Attacking with the few forces crazy enough to join Shin, he succeeds at saving Kenshiro from his execution and allying with his former rival to rescue Yuria. Fudoh and Juza join the pair with the remnants of Yuria's forces, and the team battles past Jagi and Heart - now working wholly for Souther - and Shin shows no regrets defeating both to rescue Yuria, knowing full well that Yuria will never love him in return. At the apex, Shin defeats Souther in front of the Holy Cross mausoleum and causes the Holy Imperial Army to break ranks in flee.

Following Souther's death, Kenshiro and Shin have one last fight. Having won, Shin elects not to pursue Yuria, but to leave her with Kenshiro - knowing that his blood-stained past would bring Yuria nothing but pain and misery. He nonetheless swears to make this world worthy of her, and returns to Southern Cross, spreading rumors that she and Kenshiro have died, allowing the two of them to live out their days in peace. As he stands on the balcony of his palace, Shin smiles, muusing to his old rival that he understands now the power that their love for Yuria brought both Shin and Kenshiro.

Trivia

Banikis Gigo from Konjiki no Gash Bell!,have a striking resemblance with Shin.

Gallery

• 
• Shin in Rei Gaiden

  Shin in Rei Gaiden

• 
• 

  Shin in the TV series

• 

  Shin in Hokuto no Ken 3 for Family Computer

• 

  Shin in Hokuto no Ken 5 for Super Famicom

• 

  Shin in Hokuto no Ken: Shinpan no Sōsōsei Kengō Retsuden

• 

  Shin in Hokuto Musō (game original outfit)

• 

  Hokuto Musō (manga outfit)